2022 Pre-Season

[Titslover]

Hahah surely change it to HailSexton. Sweet cheers mate, will do now

[willhelm]

I'm gonna make an account on the Dolphins fan forum called Hail Stone

[gcboyz]

How about a new account for the PM on the Sharks site. Profile name Hugh J****.

[Titanic]

I’m waiting for a Sextologist and Fire & Brimson to emerge … don’t change fellas we love you just the way you are … I’m also getting tired of holding my breath lol

[gotitans101_]

I'm glad it's been cancelled. Playing on such a heavy wet track just for a trial seems risky as far as injuries are concerned imo

[willhelm]

I'm glad it's been cancelled. Playing on such a heavy wet track just for a trial seems risky as far as injuries are concerned imo

Agree 100% but disappointed nonetheless. Was really looking forward to this one, particularly to see how Ash goes against us.

[Titslover]

Do you guys reckon the club should be trying to fly the team out somewhere dry for a few days (Melbourne?) to get some training in? Could maybe even have an intra-club game to try get match fitness up a bit. From the looks of the way Parkwood is they might not even be able to get there to use the gym for a few days, and they definitely need to get some more running and ball work in to be ready for next week.

[T0ken]

Do you guys reckon the club should be trying to fly the team out somewhere dry for a few days (Melbourne?) to get some training in? Could maybe even have an intra-club game to try get match fitness up a bit. From the looks of the way Parkwood is they might not even be able to get there to use the gym for a few days, and they definitely need to get some more running and ball work in to be ready for next week.

Airports are shut or operating at a reduced capacity plus I think the travel fatigue would be too much pre round 1 starting in a couple weeks

[SCoast Titan]

I think on the bright side we will have no major injuries after trying to play in those torrential conditions

[Hail Sezer]

Do you guys reckon the club should be trying to fly the team out somewhere dry for a few days (Melbourne?) to get some training in? Could maybe even have an intra-club game to try get match fitness up a bit. From the looks of the way Parkwood is they might not even be able to get there to use the gym for a few days, and they definitely need to get some more running and ball work in to be ready for next week.

They're training at CBUS. Field looks good.

[Titslover]

They're training at CBUS. Field looks good.

Oh thats good news, glad we're not missing out on any training. Do you think they might do an intra-club game or just focus on training for now?

By the way lads this is the artist formerly known as Hangingon

[5 Year Contract]

not Titans related and even funnier its the donkeys but a good look at the season and what realistically all clubs are going to go through.

From NRL Physio Facebook

"Adam Reynolds set to miss Round 1 after contracting COVID (via Courier Mail). Going to be a lot of disruption to player availability this season, with COVID positive players likely to be cleared to return to play 2-3 weeks after diagnosis with current protocols in place"

https://www.couriermail.com.au/sport...67fdb49d938828

*added CM article*

[willhelm]

Is that Billy Walters' music?

[DIEHARD]

Crunch time for Holbrook as selection deadline looms
https://www.titans.com.au/news/2022/...eadline-looms/

While the Gold Coast Titans playing group will be enjoying their much-deserved last weekend off before the season begins, it’s a completely different story for Justin Holbrook and his coaching staff.

They have a selection headache that needs to be rectified by 3pm on Tuesday.

It’s a very healthy problem to have… the fact the club has quite the depth and some quality players will miss out is a testament to the hard-work and determination all 31 players have put in over the off-season. Particularly in the fight for seats on the bench, where around nine players in contention will have to be cutdown to just four.

“It’s mainly the bench spots [we need to pick],” Holbrook said.

“I’ve been happy with that many of our middles that it’s just so hard to split who is going to grab a bench spot.

“We have a number of guys which is a great position to be in. We need that and we’ve got it with our great depth.

"It’s going to be hard because we’ve got around nine guys trying to get four spots on the bench and that’s the hard part.

“Everyone wants to play Round 1 and that’s the reason you spend all pre-season, but we’re going to need it through the year.”

Confirming skipper Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, veteran forward Isaac Liu and Origin representative Moeaki Fotuaika are certainties to start against Parramatta, the other middles have really impressed over the summer months, making the decision even tougher for the head coach.

“The hard part is, they’ve all done so well. From Herman to Sam Lisone, Jimmy Jolliffe, Jarrod Wallace – all our middles… and then you throw in Tino, Isaac Liu and Moe - they’re the three certainties and the rest are fighting for a few spots,” Holbrook said.

“So, it’s hard when you don’t get many opportunities and some of them didn’t even get to play the trial (against the Broncos). But as the season progresses, [the depth] is where we’ll get benefit from.

“That second trial would’ve helped a few guys out, but we didn’t have that luxury, so we’ll probably sit down and pick it and know as of Monday who’ll have a run.”

Another difficulty for Holbrook will be who plays in the utility role with two very capable candidates in Tanah Boyd and Will Smith ready to fill that important position.

Arguably, with the Titans having been drawn the toughest season opener of the eight games, Holbrook knows picking the right 17 to run out against Parramatta is crucial.

“They’re the decisions we’ve really got to concentrate on and get right because we’re playing the form team of the comp if you’re going on trial form,” Holbrook said.

“In Round 1, they always start well. They’re well-organised, well-prepared and it’s down there.

“If I look at the eight games, we’ve probably got the toughest start of them all, so we’ve got to make sure we get it right for Sunday week.”

One thing is definitely a certainty… all eyes will be on the team list when it is released on Tuesday afternoon to see which way the Titans coach goes.

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The likely starting 13:
Holbrook locked in his spine and did so weeks ago at the club’s training camp at Sanctuary Cove Resort, which has allowed the four pivotal players to gel and build combinations prior to kick-off.

Jayden Campbell will line up at fullback, there’ll be an all-new halves pairing with AJ Brimson and Toby Sexton joining forces and Erin Clark has won the race for the No. 9 jersey, edging out other contenders Tanah Boyd and Aaron Booth.

New captain Tino Fa’ausamaleaui is guaranteed a starting jersey, likely continuing to dominate in the middle third of the field. He’ll be standing next to Mo Fotuaika and Isaac Liu who have been anointed the Round 1 props.

By the numbers: Nothing stops Titans excelling in pre-season

Powerhouse forward David Fifita is also a lock and will likely start on the edge after his first pre-season without injury, allowing him to get his body right for the season opener. Using the final trial team list as a guide, he’s expected to run out alongside Beau Fermor who will get his chance to own the No. 11 jersey, just edging out experienced campaigner Kevin Proctor, who the 23-year-old has constantly turned to for advice.

It’s likely the outside backs will remain the same as last year’s elimination final, except ‘flying’ Phil Sami is expected to re-join the line-up if the head coach goes the same way as what was named for the Warriors trial. It's been a huge off-season for the 2020 Origin back, who will likely come in for Greg Marzhew – a very tough selection for the coaching staff who are fond of his tough, relentless carries in yardage.

Those in the mix for the bench:
Jaimin Jolliffe
Started against the Broncos and was arguably the player of the match in the first half. Was a consistent performer in the middle off the bench last season and will likely be one of the favourites to jag a spot on the interchange.

Jarrod Wallace
The former Origin prop is always reliable in the middle and can easily find the try line when he needs to. The 177-gamer joined Jolliffe in the starting pack for the Broncos trial and is likely to be a good chance of playing off the pine in Round 1.

Sam Lisone
Lisone played 16 games for the Titans last season in the middle third and has the footwork and skill to ball-play as well as barnstorm from the back fence - as witnessed against Parramatta last season. A proven performer, the proud Kiwi also put in a good showing against the Broncos recently as the starting lock.

Herman Ese'ese
Disappointed in his 2021 season by his own admission, Ese'ese has dropped an incredible nine kilograms and worked extremely hard in the off-season to be at peak fitness for the new year ahead. This has impressed Holbrook and the coaching staff and the 27-year-old played a pivotal role off the bench against the Broncos in the recent trial, taking tough carries in big moments of the game and helping lead the rookies from the front.

Kevin Proctor
As a senior leader at the club, Proctor is one of the most accomplished forwards vying for a spot in the 17 for Round 1. It could be said his ability to play in both the middle and on the edge gives him a competitive leg-up against some of the other candidates, as well as his big-game experience across 275 appearances.

Sam McIntyre
Every team needs a player like Sam McIntyre. He may not be the most flashiest of forwards, but he is reliable, a workhorse - especially in defence, and is happy to fill any position or role needed. A perfect team man that would be a handy inclusion on the Titans' bench. With 22 games under his belt, the Coffs Harbour junior has plenty to offer should he get the call-up.

Will Smith
Arguably, the utility void will be the toughest selection for Holbrook as both Smith and Tanah Boyd offer the ability to play many roles with the No. 14 on their back. The former Parramatta Eel could potentially get the jump on the youngster thanks to his experience and knowhow to play at fullback, the halves and hooker. Smith comes to the Titans with 75 games under his belt and has been lauded by fans as a great signing to help fill the utility role.

Tanah Boyd
The former halfback now hooker has gone through a transformation in the off-season to adapt to his new role and has excelled at the switch. He dominated with the No. 9 on his back against the Broncos in the recent trial and also has the ability to play in the halves should he need to. He is also a bigger body in defence if that is what Holbrook is looking for to help strengthen the middle third.

[Hail Sezer]

Well that officially wraps up pre-season 2022, with the official squad for Round 1 being named this afternoon.

Thanks to everyone who contributed and kept this thread alive over the pre-season. And welcome to the new members who used this thread to introduce themselves to the forum.

I've looked at a few different season previews to get a feel for where most of the so-called experts see us finishing, and it has been a mixed bag. Some have us top 6, some have us bottom 4. In other words no one really has any idea. The one constant is that very few really pay attention to us, and are significantly out of touch with our roster and the way we play. But that's fine - I'd much prefer we go in underestimated than with all the inflated hype we went in with last year.

Anyway, look forward to seeing the team named this afternoon. See you all in the Round 1 Game Thread.